Often you hear “It’s a dog’s life.”

But life is pretty good at Fearless Kitty Rescue.

The Fountain Hills rescue, a three-year-old nonprofit organization, is making strides to becoming a model for other rescue centers in the Valley.

The no-kill shelter takes in cats and kittens, and also operates a trap-and-release program, sterilizing feral cats and releasing them to their outdoor homes.

The rescue was co-founded by Kim Kamins and Paula Hatch.

“Feral cats are known now as community cats,” said Kamins. “They aren’t adoptable, but they do reproduce. That is why we spay or neuter them. That helps keep the population down.”

The rescue center, located at 16913 E. Enterprise Drive, not only provides respite for all things feline, it also is evolving into a place for cat lovers to gather.

Beginning Sunday, Sept. 6, and each Sunday through the month, people can schedule an hour to enjoy coffee or tea and hang out with the kitties.

Tickets for the Cat Café are $20 and are available online at www.fearlesskitty.org.

Cat cafes originated in Taiwan in 1998. The first one to open in the U.S. was in New York City. Fountain Hills boasts the first café of its kind in the state.

The local “Coffee and Cats” serves as a fundraiser for FKR. The organization has grown through donations, grants and fundraisers.

It recently was the winner of Republic Service’s $10,000 community grant. FKR will use the funds to increase awareness of its model in cat rescues.

“Fountain Hills is the only town in the county that does not send cats to the Humane Society for euthanasia,” Kamins said. “We are proud of the way the program has worked. We are completely dedicated to the no-kill philosophy.”

Adoptable cats generally are available. Adoptive parents must qualify to adopt a pet, and Fearless Kitty Rescue has a number of resources to ensure the success of an adoption.

Adoption fees range from $25 for senior age cats (seven and older) to $100 for kittens two to five months old.

The rescue started out in a 2,300-square-foot center. It added space in June to accommodate “Dreamy’s Place,” a private area that is used for new intakes.

“When cats come to us, especially if they are young, they are terrified,” Kamins said.

“In Dreamy’s Place, they are kept away from other cats and the activity in the main center until they are more socialized and less afraid.”

There are more than 70 active volunteers who work with the rescue, providing a variety of services, including fostering cats.

FKR has a small boutique filled with cat-themed merchandise. An online store is in the works.

For more information about adoption, volunteering and other details regarding Fearless Kitty Rescue, visit www.fearlesskitty.org.